She knew how it would go anyway. This was how they worked. He appeared to offer her some suggestions; she knew well enough that the first things he mentioned were what he was keen to do. Then, when asked for her opinion, she would obediently go with what he wanted.

She slowed her step as she thought about it, this habit of their marriage. Julie’s words spun in her head: Don’t lose yourself. But she wasn’t, was she? Surely she was just putting her husband first, like a good wife should?

But when do you get to be put first?

The thought popped into her head, unbidden. Uncomfortably, she pushed it away. She fixed a smile on her face as Tommy talked on. She should be happy; she should be relieved.

Her husband was back.

And all that with Anna, what she had seen in the casino… Anna was a slut, and Tommy had been drunk, but after this holiday was over, they would never have to see the wretched woman again. All Paula had to do was keep a close eye on Tommy, make sure she stayed close to him so he wouldn’t be tempted. After all, he was only human.

But what about the other stuff? The old man who had died? No, not died – been killed! And the photo that looked so very much like Anna?

But the same thought came back to her: that after this trip they would never have to clap eyes on her again.

She nodded to herself and pulled Tommy closer.

‘Shall we get some breakfast?’ she said.

In her cabin, Anna pulled Mark’s phone out of her bag and switched it on. The battery was still half full, and on the locked screen a zigzagging pattern was visible, a greasy fingerprint track. She followed it with her own finger, allowing herself a smile as the phone unlocked.

Sipping at a glass of water, she scrolled through his texts. There was a string of them between himself and Patrick; the officer was in Mark’s address book as Pat D. There was nothing friendly or sociable, she noted, just work instructions, rotas, destinations and times of departure.

She read through his previous messages, studying the tone he used, abbreviations – numbers used as words, which she personally hated – and when she was sure she had the inflection right, she typed out a text to Patrick.

So sorry for leaving you in the lurch, i had 2 leave the ship 4 personal reasons. Sorry again, Pat, will call when i can.

She read through it and pressed the send key before she could change her mind. She was about to switch the phone off and put it away when she had another thought.

She put her own name in his phone and typed out another text.

Annie thank u for being a gr8 friend. Cant go home yet but will text soon x